Pope Francis appealed on Sunday (20) for an end to the violence in Niger, the scene of a diplomatic crisis triggered by a coup, and asked for prayers for peace in all countries affected by conflict, including Ukraine.
“I am following with concern what is happening in Niger.
I join the bishops’ appeal for peace in the country and stability in the Sahel region,” the Pontiff declared during the Angelus prayer.
Francis also expressed his support for the efforts of the international community to “find a peaceful solution as soon as possible for the good of all”.
“Let us pray for the dear people of Niger,” he added.
This week, the military leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries discussed the possibility of an intervention in Niger to “restore constitutional order” in response to the military coup that arrested and deposed the President Mohamed Bazoum.
Furthermore, the leader of the Catholic Church has called for peace in all countries affected by the conflict, including Ukraine. “We also invoke peace for all populations wounded by wars and violence, above all we pray for Ukraine which has been suffering for so long”, he underlined.
In his message, the Argentine also mentioned the need to be like God, firm but not “rigid”, to “change” plans.
“Those who love do not remain rigid in their positions, but allow themselves to be moved; they know how to change their projects. Love is creative. And we Christians, if we want to imitate Christ, are invited to be open to change”, he underlined.
“How beautiful it is for us, in our relationships, but also in our life of faith, to be docile, to truly listen, to be moved by compassion and by the good of others, like Jesus with the Canaanite woman. Docility to change”, he continued, referring to the biblical passage which reports the meeting of Jesus with a Canaanite woman.
According to him, “it is not rich in concepts, but in facts” and therein lies “the concreteness of faith, which is not a religious label, but a personal relationship with the Lord”.
“How many times do we fall into the temptation to confuse faith with a label. A woman is not made of theological label, but of insistence; not of words, but of prayer. And God does not resist when you pray to him”, she concluded. .
Source: Terra
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